Nikons new DSLR

The DSLR environment has dramatically changed with the introduction of new competitors in the market. They include the Sony Alpha, Panasonic LUMIX DMC-L1, Olympus E-330 and the yet to be announced Fujifilm S4 Pro and the Olympus E-3. In response, Nikon will announce a new DSLR camera on the 9th August 2006.

The new camera has a 10.2 mega pixel sensor and is the successor to the Nikon D70s. It has everyone guessing but it definitely fits in between a D70s and the D200 with the body being based on a consumer grade body, the D70s.

I've searched through the US Trademark and Patent site and could not find any application for the rumored names such as the D20, D80 or even D90. Although the D20 is a commonly rumored name for the replacement, I believe the D20 most likely is reserved for a much lower spec camera as the numbers doesn't make any sense, unless Nikon is totally revamping its naming conventions. Under the current Nikon naming arrangement, a D20 would be a very, VERY low spec camera. If Nikon does come out with such a low spec camera (something below the D50), it definitely won't have a 10 mega pixel sensor. That would totally undercut the Nikon D50, which I don't think Nikon will do. However, while I don't think the new 10.2 mega pixels will be a D20, that doesn't mean Nikon isn't also coming out with a new low end camera. But why D20? All other consumer grade bodies have had odd numbers. So that would suggest a new low spec body would be a D30. Again, this all assumes Nikon isn't totally revamping its naming conventions. This leaves the most logical name to be the either the Nikon D80 or D90. Again both are not registered under the US Trademark and patent site, however this may change.

Interestingly, the D200 name has been updated on the US Trademark and Patent site. Could it be called the Nikon D200L as was rumored a few weeks ago?

Who knows, only time will tell?